Page 8 of My Big, Fat, Accidental Billionaire Husband

“I knew it,” he says, a slight challenge in his tone. His eyes are focused on mine across the cabana, dark and amused. “She’s too professional even for Vegas.”

Something hot and defiant flares in my chest. Along with anger. “What exactly are you saying?”

He shrugs, the movement rippling across those irritatingly perfect shoulders. “Just that some people come to Vegas but never really leave the office. Mental handcuffs.” His lips curve into a smile. “Nothing wrong with that. Christopher values your... restraint.”

“You don’t know the first thing about me!” I reply, aware that my voice has taken on a slightly dangerous edge.

“I know you alphabetize Christopher’s protein bars,” he counters.

Leo waves the vials between us like a hypnotist’s watch. “Children, children. Less arguing, more partying.”

I lock eyes with Dom. There’s a challenge there, a dare. He thinks I’m some buttoned-up office drone incapable of letting loose.

This is monumentally stupid. Career-ending stupid. ‘Remember that time I took drugs with Dominic Rossi and ruined my professional reputation’ stupid.

I grab a vial from Leo’s hand.

“Tatiana!” Amara gasps, but there’s excitement in her voice.

“When in Vegas,” I say, uncapping the tiny container. Before I can reconsider, I tip the clear liquid into my mouth. It tastes faintly like saltwater with an artificial cherry finish.

Dom’s eyebrows shoot up, genuine surprise crossing his features before a slow smile spreads across his face. “Well played, Tatiana Cole. I was actually teasing... normally I wouldn’t touch this stuff with a seven foot pole... but now...” He takes a vial for himself.

“That’s the spirit!” Leo says.

Sabrina shakes her head, then sighs before grabbing one, too. “Shit. Tatiana.”

Jess and Amara exchange glances before following suit. Leo looks delighted, like he’s just successfully corrupted a convent.

Oh great. Now I’ve peer-pressured my friends. Mother would be so proud.

“To temporary insanity,” Dom says, raising his vial in my direction before downing it.

“To professional suicide,” I mutter, but I’m smiling despite myself.

The effects hit faster than I expected. One minute I’m sitting on the cabana couch wondering if I’ve made a terrible mistake, and the next, the world has crystallized into something sharper, brighter, more immediate. The music feels like it’s flowing through my veins instead of just hitting my eardrums. Dom’s dark eyes seem to contain entire galaxies.

Oh wow. Oh. Wow. This is... different.

“You feeling it?” Dom asks, suddenly beside me on the couch. I don’t remember him moving there, but I’m intensely aware of his thigh pressed against mine.

“I feel amazing,” I admit, my honesty surprising me. “Everything’s just so... here.”

He laughs, and I can see clear crinkles forming beside his eyes. “That’s one way to put it.”

His hand brushes against mine, and the contact sends electricity shooting up my arm. I gasp involuntarily.

“Sensitive?” he asks, his voice dropping to a register that does dangerous things to my insides.

“No,” I lie, then immediately confess, “Yes. Everything feels amplified.”

He leans closer, and I can smell those sandalwood and citrus notes, and something else underneath, something uniquely him that makes my mouth water. “Truth serum too, apparently.”

I should move away. I should rejoin my friends, who seem to have melted into the background of my consciousness. I should remember that this man is essentially a work contact.

Instead, I find myself asking, “Do you find me attractive?”

Filter malfunction. Please stand by while professional Tatiana reboots.

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